Wildlife Spotting

Wildlife is both challenging and rewarding to photograph. Try these tips to make the most of your expedition to your backyard backwoods or beyond:

1| If you have an SLR type camera, don’t skimp on the glass: The best way to get up close to any kind of animal is to have a long lens. Usually a zoom lens topping out at 300mm will be sufficient, but if the animals are potentially dangerous, consider a maximum focal length of 400mm or longer.

2| Focus on the eyes of the animal – especially when using a longer lens – to get the most striking shot.

3| Animals move fast. Try the “sports” mode of your digital camera to give you the best shutter speed and exposure settings.

4| Explore your camera’s Macro mode – sometimes close up images of small wildlife and plants can be just as rewarding as the big game.

CABIN LIFE reader Nancy Ruf photographed this pine marten high up in a tree.

5| Patience is key. Animals don’t know that you are waiting for them to yawn, jump or go after prey. Holding out that extra few minutes may reward you with a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

6| Photograph animals in their natural settings so your pictures tell more of a story.

7| Know your wildlife! Some of your “models” are docile creatures, and some are highly dangerous. Make sure you understand the difference.